29er HT time...

Turning in my '16 TransAm 275, shopping for a new hardtail with wagon wheels for my DD. Feel free to post up if you're selling an appropriate XL.

Riding in town Durango mostly because kids ruined my life, but I get out on the CT in the area semi-regularly. I'm not a luddite, I just like riding a HT for 95% of my riding (I.E. hot laps between the girls' bedtime and dark). Much prefer steel since I'm not exactly a small human.

Requirements:
Steel
Geo around a 140mm+ fork
64-66* HA

Seems like I can't go wrong with a Nimble 9 or a Rootdown, both of which seem to pop up on Pinkbike pretty regularly. Opinions? What else should I look in to? Norco Torrent? Honzo? Middlechild? The thing I like most about the TransAm is it rails corners and is a blast in tight and twisty turns.

Short story long: I've always had a hardtail, but sold my Knolly Warden last year to update my wife's bike. In the meantime, I realized I don't miss the squish much since I'm not going to Moab 10x/yr or spending 6+ hrs in the saddle anymore. And I'd rather have a well-speced HT than a mid-grade FS for the same price. Did some lift-served on Sunday with friends and had a ball, and realized that what I can't do on my HT, I'd still walk it with a FS bike. I'm not rad and don't need to be. Just want to bump up the wheel size since I'm 6'4 and the only real gripe I have with the transam is the rear wheel hangs up more than I'd like (duh). I've ridden a hardtail on every inch of the CT south of Silverton, most of the Enchilada, etc. It's tiring but I don't mind slowing down a little and navigating rather than monster-trucking through shit. Just want a little better rollover and updated geo (the transam is a little tight for my lanky ass).

We've had a couple of these come through the shop, they seem neat

https://konaworld.com/honzo_esd.cfm

xl has a reach of 525mm and quite a bit of stack. my xl hei hei is "only" 500.

Nimble 9. Do it.

Have a look at Ragley's offerings -- if what you want isn't in stock, set a stock notice alert.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...l?f=4294967076

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

Nimble 9. Do it.

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This answer is correct.

CHROMAG!

I’d go Rootdown or doctahawk if you wanna get wild ( and have the cash)


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I've owned a TransAM 29er and a Chromag Surface and recently picked up a Nimble 9. It's an extremely fun bike; the gee is modern without being cartoonishly slack and it builds up pretty light. The attention to detail and quality is also spot on. Do it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dee Hubbs

CHROMAG!

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Yeah I saw that one coming from miles out. :D Don't you have a tennis match to attend to?

I am really leaning towards a Nimble 9; there's a chrome one I've been eyeing on PB that is not exactly my steeze but maybe I needs new steezes.

Second question: any interest in a 2016 Transition TransAm 275? XL, Fox 36 Factory Talas (160/130) up front, XT/XTR 11-spd bits, PNW dropper, flow wheels? It's been ridden, I'll make you a deal. Thanks for the replies.

I have no idea about the current gen nimble 9, but the old one was super overbuilt and made with kinda shitty steel. It was heavy and any potential compliance you get from a steel frame was lost because of the shitty steel / overbuiltness.

But it was cheap. So if overbuilt + inexpensive is what you're after, it might be your ticket. But if you're looking for a "nice" steel hardtail, I think there's better options.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by toast2266

I have no idea about the current gen nimble 9, but the old one was super overbuilt and made with kinda shitty steel. It was heavy and any potential compliance you get from a steel frame was lost because of the shitty steel / overbuiltness.

But it was cheap. So if overbuilt + inexpensive is what you're after, it might be your ticket. But if you're looking for a "nice" steel hardtail, I think there's better options.

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Nah, the latest Nimble 9 is stout and lighter than other steel hardtails I’ve owned. After riding it frequently this season and it’ll confidently do most anything with ease. The ride quality and compliance is on par with my old Surface.

I have no idea about previous generations but the latest is everything a modern steel HT should be.


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^^^ nice, that's good to hear.

66 degree HTA on the N9 was a deal killer for me. In the world of slack, “hardcore” hardtails, it’s a bit dated and puts it in league with a lot of pseudo XC full suspension bikes before you even throw a leg over it and further steepen things. 64 degrees was basically the standard a couple years ago and we’re seeing newer bikes down to 62, which I think is a move in the right direction. My hardtail has a 64 degree HTA and I wouldn’t hesitate to go slacker. You give up very little for what you gain, IMO.

I am in the same boat and looking to replace my FS with a HT in the near future. Other models I have looked at that haven't been mentioned are:

UK

Moxie Mx3
https://www.pipedreamcycles.com/shop/moxie/

Moxie Sirius
https://www.pipedreamcycles.com/shop/sirius/

Stanton Sherpa
https://stantonbikes.com/product/sherpa-gen-3/

Bird Forge
https://www.bird.bike/product/forge-...#configuration

Portugal, but made in Taiwan like almost all of them

Nordest Bardino
https://nordestcycles.com/en/product/bardino-3-frame

Claims from US, but really just Taiwan

Esker Japhy
https://eskercycles.com/products/japhy

Really is from US and cheap

Ferum (really extreme geo so I was thinking of a small, underforked, and mullet to soften the geo some. Probably overbuilt but price is right and awesome to support a real made in US shop)
https://ferrumbikes.com/product-tag/hardtail/

Or, the cheapest option of all is get your own custom designed frame built in Peru
https://www.marinobike.com/

I have run a new N9 with a 150mm Pike for 2 years now. On 2.6 inches tires+35mm rims.


All Chromags to me feel very stiff both in good way and the bad ways. The N9 might not feel as scalpel like in berms but it fun light and lively in natural terrain. I never felt like the HTa was holding me back but then again I am not asking my hardtail to be as gnarly as my bigger FS bikes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by toast2266

I have no idea about the current gen nimble 9, but the old one was super overbuilt and made with kinda shitty steel. It was heavy and any potential compliance you get from a steel frame was lost because of the shitty steel / overbuiltness.

But it was cheap. So if overbuilt + inexpensive is what you're after, it might be your ticket. But if you're looking for a "nice" steel hardtail, I think there's better options.

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Blasphemy

lota Chromag up here cuz there is a the whistla comnnection

shop bro who goes thru enduro bikes like kleenex built a chromag for his between shop deals ride

wished he went 29 instead of 27.5 sez he

Quote:

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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Have a look at Ragley's offerings -- if what you want isn't in stock, set a stock notice alert.
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...l?f=4294967076

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I’ve already posted how much I like my Ragley HT. Good value, decent tubing. But in the highish price range Alta and Zombi are apparently in, I think Pace is making some sweet frames.

Attachment 425685

Ooops looks like Covid increased price of Ragleys too. Roughly 2X what I paid in early 2020.

The hardtail companies out there sometimes quote a sagged HA, so pay close attention when comparing things.

IME the HT sweet spot is 140 mm fork 29er with longish stays and a 65 or 64.5 HA, or a 150 mm 27.5 with 2.6” tires and 64 HA (unsagged) and shortish (425 mm ) CS for a playful but still stable feel.